WATCHMEN

After giving this much thought, I decided that writing an article on this would probably be best. When we were younger, we were introduced to games of various types. From our favorite SNES, to N64, PSX, PS2, Computers and the list goes on. We all remember that special time or times, when we originally picked up that controller and entered a whole new world. So games, like computers themselves came from our brains and imaginations. As such, they generally enact themselves out to fulfill our fantasies.

Whether it's brutal horror from slicing and dicing to something as simple as a puzzler like Tetris, whatever it may be, these things caught our attention. We played them and enjoyed them. They touched a spot in our heart, which is why we still keep coming back to them for some sort of spark. Even if one says they play for their friends, let's just be honest. We're gamers. We play games with our friends but we play games because we like to play games.

Remember that time when games started introducing multiplayer? At first it was generic Co-Op, then we rushed right into competition. Surprising? Well, not really. After all, we still have games talking about swashbuckling sword n' board, so competition wasn't far off from arriving at the dawn of gaming. Competition was fun at first. I mean, who didn't like besting their brother at Street Fighter, or showing your friends how much better you are at their record?

Friendly at first, sure, but as times went on, things started getting a bit more serious. Like fighters with swords and boards that evolved into nukes and bombs, we too - gamers, are no exception. We live in an age of competitive gaming that has frankly destroyed the moral highground. We live in an age where hackers, exploiters, cheaters and bug abusers run rampart with seemingly no end in sight. In addition, this is increasing at an alarming rate.

People tend to see these people as bad or horrible people, but can we slow down for a moment and think? Are they as bad as they seem? Are these people truly such evil folks? Let's take another example. A gun. A gun in itself, like an autoclicker is a neutral agent. Yet people tend to eye these things as 'evil'. How can a gun be evil? When did the gun develop a consciousness to purposely cause destruction? When did a nuke get up and decided 'Hey, I'm gonna' go blow up Japan.' Rather than looking at these tools as evil, shouldn't we be looking at the people?

But wait a moment! You picked up a gun! You used an autoclicker! By default, you're already a villain, right? I find this kind of thinking absolutely ignorant. It's plain ole' black and white type of thinking. Contrary to said belief, the world works a lot more different and things are generally not as simple as it seems. If I pick up a gun to defend myself from being shot at, and down my attacker, believe me - I will not degrade myself. I refuse to think I am in the wrong, or I'm evil because the world I'm living in leaves me no choice.

So what will you do when someone comes with a gun?

You have a gun to defend yourself, but are you going to sit there and let them fire at you because of this imaginary concept you developed in your consciousness known as morality? By default, morality itself is an unnatural factor to a human. It's an imagination. A concept that can be altered based on person to person. On one hand, you can think that you're doing God's will by not even touching that weapon. On the other, you can have a bush hunter tearing himself apart inside because he didn't bring enough heads (of his foes) to his chief.

Morality is an unevolved trait. Sooner or later, we'll all lose it. For example, if one was to pit equally skilled foes against each other. Whether it be gaming or not, the one that houses no form of a morality complex will almost 100% always win. (UNLESS SOME BUG LOLOLOL)

Point is, it clouds neutral and logically sound judgment. Even to the point where one would rather get shot in the head, rather than pick up a gun and fight for their survival. (Which btw, self-defense is completely natural for any creature to do - human or animal alike) This being said, what exactly makes gaming any different from soccer or those olden gladiator battles? Heck, all we've done is just encased civilized barbarism. We're still swashbucklers fighting for our survival. Sure, it may not be physical, but it is mental related. No matter how much you try to slice it and downplay 'oh it's only a game', who exactly are you fooling?

These games toy with our emotions. They can trouble our thoughts. They can make or break friendships. This is real. Not because it's online does it suddenly mean you are not involved. The mere fact you even gave thought to this post shows that there is an involvement. Mere fact you even respond to a whisper, a tell, or hate mail, proves you're already involved and engaged on a psychological level.

We're living in an age of gaming where the morality factor has been tossed right out the window. People (just like war) will do anything in their power to win. I will not stand here and villainize these people for doing what they have to do. Whether it's out of self defense, or if it's just those that are out to see the world burn. Whatever their reasoning is, just know that I will not stand by and be shot. Believe me, if you oppose me in such a way then it is automatically self defense. I will hold my gun and fire right back at you.

This isn't eye for eye. I'm not suggesting to take up arms to go out and kill people, or purposely bug and exploit others out of vicious intent. This is waking up to realize the gaming age you're in and the steps you may or may not need to take to assure yourself victory.